Apparatus for controlling electric circuits



G. F. BAGGE.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS. APPLICATION FILED MAY I5. |915. IIENIzwIzD APII. 16.1920.

1,362,553, Patented Dec. 14, 1920'.

4 SHEETS-sugar I.

I G. F. BAGGE. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING' ELECTRIC CIRCUITS. APPLICATION FILED MAY I5. |915. RENEWED APR. I6, |920. 1,362,553, Patented De.14,1920.

4 SHEETS-SIIEEI 2.

G. F. BAGGE.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS. APPLlcATIoN FILED MAY15, 1915. RENEWED APR. le, 1920.

1,362,553. Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/Q ff 7% '6. F. BAGGE. APPARATUS Fon coNTRoLUNG ELECTRICy CIRCUITS. APPLICATION FILED MAY l5. 1915- RENEWED APR- 16' 1920. 1,362,553, Patented Deo. 14, 1920.

Q 4 SHEETS-snm 4A UNITED STATES PATENT orifice.

GUSTAF F. BAGGE, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led May 15, 1915, Serial No. 28,280. Renewed April V16, 1920. Serial No. 374,493.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GUsTAF F. BAGGE, a subject of the King of Sweden, and a resident of the city of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Controlling Electric Circuits, of which .the following is a specication.

My invention relates to electric signs and more particularly to signs wherein the letters or words are flashed periodically and in which the words may be changed and dis- ,layed in successive order to form sentences. ne of the objects of my invention is the provision of a sign apparatus wherein a sheet of perforated material, or a continuous ribbon of perforated material, may be fed through the machine for the purpose of flashing the desired letters or words in their respective order. Another object of my invention is the provision of a sign apparatus wherein the record employed may be readily changed or substituted for others at will and without special adjustment of the mechanism. A still further object of my invention is the provision of what is commercially known as a talking sign that is compact in construction so as to be readily 'transportable from one location to another. Other objects of my invention are to construct the device in as simple a manner as possible so as not to require the employment of'special labor to operate and to provide a device that is effective in its operation, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. Another object of my invention is to provide meansv for closing and opening the lighting circuit other than the perforated strip so that the device willnot depend upon the insulation of the strip at the moment the circuit is closed -or opened. In other words, the necessarily slow motion of the perforated strip is not well adapted to open and close the lighting circuit but is entirely suitable yfor the prevention of the passage of the current through the lamps which are not required in forming the characters of the'sign. v

Figure l is a longitudinal side elevation of the mechanism employed in connection with my electric sign.

2 is a plan thereof.

Flg. 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken in a plane in front of the brushes.

Fig. 4: is an enlarged detail view of the brushes and rack for 'supporting the same.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the rack and one of the brushes illustrating the preferred manner of mounting the latter.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one'of the operating gears of the mechanism..

'for the loose portion of the perforated record ribbon 12a. This ribbon is preferably of paper and is perforated similar to the music sheets employed in player-pianos eX- cepting that its ends may be 'secured together to provide an endless ribbon, and the perforations 13 therein are all of the same dimensions and disposed in transverse` rows. Secured on the top of one 4end portion of table 10 is an angle iron cross piece 14 to the vertical flange of which is connectedl the adjacent end of longitudinally disposed parallel side-pieces 15 also of angle metal with the horizontal flanges uppermost. Cross Contact plates 16, 16a, 16b are secured upon vthese -horizontal flanges 0fy the side pieces 15 to provide a suitable insulated platform on top of the table over which the perforated ribbon 12a is* adapted to be moved intermittently for the purposeof bringing the transverse rows of perforations under and into coperative relation with a plurality of circuit closing members hereinafter to be described. v f Y f Mounted upon aconvenient portion of the table preferably adjacent one end of the platform just mentioned is a motor 160 the pulley 17 whereof is connected by a belt 18 with a. large pulley or sheave 19 fast on the bracket 21 secured to the table 10.

extended end of a spindle 20 that is journaled in suitable horizontal bearings in a he opposite end of'spindle`20 is provided with a worm 22 in mesh with and driving a large worm gear 23 fast on the adjacent end of a shaft 24 that is journaled at one end in bearings in bracket 21 and which extends transversely across the table where its opposite end is journaled in bearings 25 1n a vertically disposed bracket 25 on the opposite ed e of the table. Beyond its bearings in b rac et 25 shaft 24 has a ear 26 loosely mounted thereon and adapte to be thrown into and out of operative relation with said 'shaft 24 by a clutch mechanism 27 operated by an electrically controlled lever 28.

Gear 26 is in mesh with and drives a gear 29 upon the extended end of a horizontally disposed shaft 30 having bearings at one end in the bracket 25 and its opposite end journaled in bearings in a bracket 31 mounted adjacent the end of platform 10. Intermediate its bearings this shaft 30 has secured thereto a roller or drum 32 provided with spurs or picks 33 upon its opposite ends that are adapted toengagemarginal perforations 34 in the edge portions of the perforated record sheet for the purpose of moving the latter.

Between roller 32 and the adjacent edge of the latform the record sheet passes under a anged idle roller 35 the ends of the spindle whereof are journaled in bearings made in brackets 31 and 251. At the opposite end of the platform is a flanged Iroller 36 over which the record sheet travels up from the compartment or receptacle below the table, and adjacent the driving roller or drum 32 the table is provided with an elongated slot 37 through which the record sheet passes to the compartment after leaving the said driving roller.

Bridging the space on the platform occu pied by the rec-ord sheet is a transverse bridge bar 38 adapted to carry a plurality of circuit closing brushes 39 that preferably. consist of relatively thin elongated strips of elasticl conductive metal that are each laced through vertically alining slots 40 made in the upper and lower portions lof transverse insulation plates 41 as shown in Flgs. 4 and; 5 and which have their contact portions deflected in the direction of travel of the record sheet to prevent tearing or mutilating the sheet and to provide springlike circuit` closing members. There are preferably as many insulating plates as there are transverse rows of lamps in the sign board, and said plates are placed face to face and bolted `together on the bridge ybar 38'. For the purpose of convenience and clearness in illustrating the apparatus I have shown five although it will be understood any number insulating plates,

of the same lmay be employed. Below the path 'of travel of the perforated record strip, and so as to register with the depending ends of the circuit closing members 39 are the cross plates 16, 16, 16b forming electric terminals for closing circuits through said circuit closing members w1th individual lamps 42 arranged in longitudinal and transverse alinement to form a bank or sign-board 43. It will no w be perceived that when perforations in the record permit the closing of the circuit by means of a member 39 the particularlamp in circuit with the particular circuit closing member will be illuminated. It is my intention to'bring the perforated record into j proper position to cause the illumination of the desired lamps before passinga current throu h the lamp circuit', and for this purpose provide in the perforated record circuit control apertures 44 which coperate with a circuit closing arm 45 secured to the bar 38 and below the depending end -of the circuit closing arm 45 an insulated contact plate 46 is arranged.

In order to avoid the excessive generation of heat in the lamp bank which would occur in the intermittent lighting of so many lamps of line voltage located in such a limited area with the ordinary service currents obtainable, I employ -a transformer 47 for furnishing current to the circuit of the lamp bank.

By this means any desired voltage may be impressed on the lamp circuit by properly designing the transformer and depending upon the size and voltage lamps it is desired to use in the sign. v

I have illustrated the electrical arrangement of my device in Fig. 7 in which the service conductors are designated 48 and 49.

A time circuit control device 50 is interposed in the service circuit so that the sign may be put into and out of operation at 4the desired time without manual attention. A hand switch 51 is also interposed in the service circuit for interrupting the circuit for the. purpose of making repairs and adjustments. In Fig. 7 theperforated record is shown at rest 1n a position in which the circuit is lclosed between the arm 45 and contact plate 46. lhis closes the circuit through electromagnet A through the following circuit: feed wire 48, time switch 50, switch 51, wire 200, wire 201,' contact 45, plate 46, wire 202, switch springs 52, wire '203, winding of magnet A, wire' 204, switch springs 61, w1re 205, wire 209, switchh 51, to feed wire 49. vThe magnet A being thus energized, acts upon pivoted clutch arm 28 to disconnect the clutch 27 and to break the circuit through switch 52 and at the same time to make a circuit through switch 53 as follows: feed wire 487 time switch 50, switch 51, wire v200, wire 206, switch springs 53,

wire 207, winding of holding magnet B, wire 208, switch springs 61, wire 205,'wire 209, switch 51 to feed wire 49. The circuit made throu h switch v53 energizes the electromagnet B which serves to hold the clutch arm 28 in the position which is assumed as the result of the action of electromagnet A, the latter being now denergized as a result of the opening of the switchd springs 52. The closing of the switch 53 also closes the -circuit through electromagnet C since the winding of the magnet C is connected by Wires 213 and 214 with wires 207 and 208, respectively, thus causing current to ilow in parallel through the magnets B and C, which closes the switch 54, normally held open by the. spring 55 thereby closing the primary circuit. of the transformer 47 through wires 216, 217 and 218 and' sending current from the secondary winding of the transformer through the circuits of the lamp bank which may be closed by the circuit closing members 39.

The closing of the main switch, 51, causes continuous operation of the motor 160 which, through the instrumentalities heretofore described, rotates the shaft 24 upon which, intermediate its bearings, is av fixed gear 57 which meshes with the gear 58 rotating upon an arbor `59 extending from the bracket 25. Cn a lateral face of the gear 58 is a knob 60 which operates at intervals to open the switch 61 and close the switch 62. 'llhe closing of the switch 62 energizes the electromagnet D through wires 210, 211 and 212 connecting the Winding of said magnet D with the wires 200 and 209, but just before the switch 62 is closed the switch 61 is opened which breaks the circuits of the clutch armholding magnet B and the magnet C which controls the primary of the transformer. The magnet D moves the arm 28 so as to throw in the clutch,close switch 52 and open switch 53.

The function of switch 61 is to keep the electroma net A out of o eration at the instant o the operation of t e electromagnet D After the operation of the knob 60 and the energizing of the electromagnet D, switch 61 again closes and switch 62 opens as a result of the movement of the knob 60 from engagement with the switches 61 and 62. It will be understood that theknob 60 is in said engagement for a suiicient interval after the energization of magnet D for the record strip 12a tolift the contact 45 from the plate 46, as a lresult ofA which when the switch 61 closes, the-circuit of the magnet A is open at the record stripand is not again closed'untilv theinext'aperture 44 is brought :under the cdntact'45-I Switch 52 is closedand switch 53 is'opened by the movement of the clutch arm 28 and remains in this` position until contactl is the perforated record sheet between the circuit closing arm 45 and the contact plate 46. when the cycle of operations is repeated.

From theabove, it will be observed, that y the shaft 24, runs continuouslyl when the main switch 51is closed and causes continuous rotation of the gears 57 and 58 and of the clutch 27; also that, since the gear 26 is loosely mounted on the shaft ,24, the gears 26 an 29, and therefore the roller 32 and the strip 12, will be operated or not, depending on whether the clutch 27 engages or is disengaged from the gear 26.

'Intermittent and recurring operation of .the clutch 27 is effected as follows: Assuming that the strip 12a is just reaching its positlon indicated in Fig. 7, to bring contact 45 into engagement with contact 46, through an aperture 44, and contacts 39 into engagement with the contact plate 16 throughapertures 13, to begin an interval of illumination of the lamps'42, the electromagnet A is enercurrent through the circuits of the lamps 42 closed through the apertures 13. This condition continues until the knob 60, carried by gear 58, engages and opens springs 61 and closes springs 62. The opening of springs 61 denergizes magnet C, and switch 54' opens the primary side of the lighting circuit immediately before the closing of the springs 62. The opening of the springs 61 also denergizes magnet B. The closing of the springs 62 energizes the electromagnet D which moves the clutch 27 into engagement with the gear .-26 and starts the strip 12L in motion again. The knob 60 remains in engagement with the springs 6l and l62 an appreciable interval during which the strip 12l advances suiiiciently to, separate the contacts 45 and 46 through which no current is flowing at that time, because the contacts 61 are open,`although the contacts 52 have been closed by their spring action when the separates the contacts 39 from the plate `16, but no current is then lowingthrough said contacts because of the prior opening of the lighting circuit at the switch 54.v

After'the knob 60' passes the springs 61, the closing of the springs 61 causes no action of the devices controlled by them at yanother portion of the cycle since the strip 12, separates the contacts 39 and 45 from their corresponding contacts. The opening of the contacts 62 at this time, denergizes the magnet D which, however, produces nochange 1n conditions on account of the -form of the clutch 27 indicated in the drawings having no tendency to release itself from driving yengagement with the gear 26. The strip 12 continues to advance until the next aperture 44 comes into registry with the contacts 45 and 46 when the cycle above` described is repeated.

It will be seen that the throwing in and out of the clutch 27 in the above described arrangement is controlled jointly through the record sheet and the action ofthe knob 60. It is possible, however, to cause intermittent movement of the record sheet independently of control apertures therein by eliminaing the clutch 27 and driving the record sheet intermittently and at regularly recurring intervals by means of the modified gearing between the shafts 24 and 30 shown in Fig. 8,which comprises a Geneva star wheel 63 mounted on the shaft 30 and a co erating cam 64 mounted on' the shaft 24, t ere being an operating pin 64 carried by the cam 64 for engaging and operating the star wheel 63. l,

This latter arrangement secures a positive intermittent movement of the perforated record sheet and eliminates the necessity for the clutch 27, but the pivoted arm 28 would still be necessary in order to secure the positive interruption of the lighting circuits independently of the insulatin breaking action lof the per orated record strip.

As pointed out above, 4one strip of contact closing members is provided for each of the ltransverse rows of lamps 42 of the lamp bank. In Figs. 1 and 2 but five of these. stri s are shown in order to lnot unnecessari yr complicate the drawings showing the mechanical construction of the apparatus. To control all of the transverse rows of lamps shown in the complete lamp bank and illustrated in Fig. 1, thirty stri sof contact members are therefore require but five `of which, comprising a part of a first group of ten strips, are shown associated with thesupporting bar 38 in Figs. 1 and 2, while the re'- maining twenty strips are referably divided into two groups of teneach associated with the contact plates 16*I and 16b and similarly supported by transverse bars identical with the bar 38. The three contact plates 16, 16*l and 16b which,'as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, are separate from and insulatedfrom. each other and the framework of the machine, divide the circuit connections extending to the lamps into three groups, the lam s of the lamp bank being similarly divide As illustrated in Fig. 7,

and circuit-- the first or left hand contact strip 41 has its contact members 39 connected directly by suitable wires with one-terminal of the first or left hand transverse row of lamps 42, the upper contact member 39 being connected with the upper lamp 42 of the row and the. other contact members being connected, one

after another, with the corresponding lamps of the row, so that the lowermost contact member of the strip is connected withthe lowermost lamp of the transverse row. The wires referred to are shown in lFig. 7 diagrammatically as extendin directly to the lamps 42, although it wi be understood that in practice any convenient form of terminals ,is employed to facilitate connecting the wires. The other terminals of the lamps arevconnected by wire'215 with one terminal of the secondary winding 47 of the transformer 47 ,i the other terminal of which secondary winding is connected by wire 220 with the,contact plate 16, and the contact members of each of the remaining contact strips 41 are connected in order with corresponding ones of. the transverse rows of lamps 42 in the same manner described for the first transverse row, all of the common conductors from these rows of lamps being connected with the wire 215.

It will thus be seen that all of the common conductors from the lamps are connected together and to one terminal of the secondary winding 47 and that the contact plates 16,

16al and 16b are connected together and to the -I 47 is closed in the manner above described,

by the engagement ofthe contact 45 with the contact plate 46, current is sent from the secondary4 winding of the transfollrneri'.V

through any of the lamps whose contact members 39, rest in the apertures 13 formed' through the record strip 12. The division of the lamps of the lamp bank into v sections by the construction and mounting of the contact `plates 16, 16a and 16b in the manner above shown and described, facilitates limiting the number of lamps in each circuit to meet the underwriters requirements.

In practice the lamp bank may be located at any desired distance from the switching mechanism, although it' is, of course, desirable to have the lamps as near the switching mechanism as convenient, to reduce current loss due to resistance of the conductors. It will be understood that the division o f the lamp bank into sections, as above described, is but one possible embodiment `of my inventionl and that in practice any division ofthe lamp bank into sections may be made as desired,'to meet the articular requirements of any case, depending upon the number of lamps employed inthe sign and their arrangement.

ber for opening and closing the primary cir'cuit of said transformer synchronously with the periods of movement and rest ofv It will be observed that the division of the sign into sections or groups of lamps as described above, each having its own switchlng mechanism, does not necessitate a corresponding division between the words or c aracters displayed on the lamp bank, since a part of lamps required to display a letter or word may be controlled by one section of the contact members as, for example, for the showing of the letter K of the word TALK, as indicated in Fig. 7 .v

It will thus be seen that by my invention I have provided a practical form of controllingmechanism for a talking sign by which the circuit connections may e simply and effectively made and by which he parts of the system, consisting of the operating mechanism, the connecting wiring andthe operated sign, may gether or disconnected, as desired, to facilitate setting up the apparatus or shipping the same and, furthermore, it will be observed that by my operating mechanism I provide a construction in which none of the electric circuits controlled by the record sheet are broken at the record sheet while current is flowing'through said circuits, for, as pointed out above, the contact members enter the apertures 13 and engage the contact plates before the lighting circuit 1s closed as aresult of the contact 45 engaging the contact plate 46, and that subsequently the circuit containing the contact 45 is opened before the contact 45 is removed from its engagement that at the time the contact members are removed by the record strip from engagement with the contact plates the circuit through the primary winding 47p is open. It will further be observed that in the operation of the clutch 27 no strain whatever is placed upon the record strip to either throw the clutch from or into driving engagement, but that the mechanical operation of the clutch is effected electromagnetically through a circuit controlled by the record strip.

What' I claim is 1. An electric sign comprising a plurality of electric lamps, a terminal plate,A circuits connecting the lamps with said" terminal plate, separate circuit closing members mounted above andadapted to contact said terminal plate and establish circuits through said lamps, a perforated insulating member interposed between said terminal plate and said circuit-closingmembers, means for intermittentlymoving said perforated insulating member and a transformer for supplying said lighting circuit, and means controlled by said perforated insulating memsaid perforated insulating member.

S 2. 'In combination, an electric sign combe readily connected towith contact plate 46 andl prising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows and connected in groups, and switching mechanism for controlling the lighting of said lamps, said switching mechanism comprising a plurality of terminal plates, one/for each of said groups, a common conductor extending from each termlnal plate to one--terminal of each lamp in the corresponding group, a group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said brushes and thel other terminals of the lamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record strip of insulating material for controlling the engagement of all of said brushes and said plates, means for moving said record strip between said brushes and Vsaid plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, and electromagnetic mechanism in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer for disconnecting the motive means of said record strip.

3. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows and connected in groups, and switching mechanism for. controlling the lighting of said lamps, said switching mechanism comprising a plurality of terminal plates, one for each of said groups, a common conductor extending from each terminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in i the corresponding group, a group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said brushes and the other terminals of the lamps of the corresporfding group,y a perforated record strip of insulating material for controlling the engagement of all of said brushes with said plates, means for moving said record strip between said brushes and said plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, and a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the -flow of current through said lamps.

4. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows and connected in groups, and sw1tching mechanism for controlling the lighting of said lamps, said switching mechanism comprising a plurality of terminal plates, one for each of said groups, a common conductor extending from each terminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in the corresponding group, a group of brushes for each terminal plate arran ed in rows corresponding to said rows o lamps and tending to make engagement with said z .plate, individual connections between said l opening said switch beforepthe opening of record strip of insulating material for controlling the engagement of all of said brushes with said plates, means for moving said record strip between said brushes and said plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromag.

net in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated by said electro-magnet, and a main switch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechanism for controlling thel flow of current through 4.said lamps.

5. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged inevenly spaced rows and connected in groups, and switching mechanism for controlling the lighting of said lamps, said switching mechanism comprising a plurality of terminal platesl` one for each of said groups, a common conductor extending from each terminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in the corresponding group, a group of brushes for each terminal platearranged in rows' corresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said brushes and the other terminals of the lamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record strip of insulating material for controlling the engagement of all of said brushes with said lates, means for moving said record strip between said brushes and said plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated byA aid record strip, a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and means for lminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in the corresponding group, al group of brushes for 'each terminal plate arranged .inrows corresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, "individual connections between said brushes andthe .other terminals of the lamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record strip of insulating material for controlling the en agement of allfof said brushes with` sai plates, meanlfor moving said record strip betweens'aid brushes and said plates, an auxiliary c'ircuitcloser operated by said record strip, an

electromagnet in circuJit with said 'auxiliary circult closer, switching mechanism operated by said electromagnet,`a main switch electromagnetically controlled .by saidl switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer,

7. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows and connected in groups, and switching mechanism for controlling .the the lighting of said lamps, said switching mechanism comprising a plurality of terminal plates, one for each of said groups, a common conductor extending from each terminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in the corresponding group, a y'group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said bruShesand the other terminals of the lamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record ystrip of insulating material for controlling the engagement of all of said brushes with said plates, means for moving said record strip between said brushes and said plates, an'auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, a switch controlled'b the operation of said auxiliary circuit c oser for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and a transformer having primary and secondary 'windings, said primary winding being coilnected in circuit with said switch and said secondary winding being connected in circuit with said lamps to supply current thereto.

8` In combintion, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged evenly s aced rows and connected in groups, and switching mechanism for controlling the lighting of said lamps, said switching mechanism comprising a. plurality of terminal plates, one for each of said" groups, a common conductor `extending from each terminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in the corresponding group, a group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows zorresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said brushes and the other terminals of the lampsl -said recordl strip between said brushes and said plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromag-- net in circuit with'said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated by said electromagnet, a main switch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current 4 through said lamps, and a transformer u having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding being connected in circuit with said switch and said secondary winding being connected in circuit with said lamps to supply current thereto.

9. In combination, 4an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly s aced rows and connected in groups, and swltching mechanism for controlling the lighting of said lamps, said switching lmechanism comprising a plurality of terminal plates, one for each'of said groups, a common conductory extending from each terminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in the corresponding group, a group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said rushes and the other terminals of the lamps of the corresponding group, -a perforated record stri trolling t e engagement of all of said brushes with said plates, means for moving said record stripv between said brushes and said`plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, a switch controlled b the operation of said auxiliary circuit c oser for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuitcloser, and va transformer having primary and secondary windin s, said primary winding being connected 1n circuit with 'said switch and said secondary winding being connected in cir- Scuit with said .l lamps to supply current thereto.

l0. In combination, an electric sign com prising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows and connected in groups,

and sw1tching mechanism for controllingthe lighting of said lamps, said switching mechanism comprisingl'a plurality of termlnal plates, one for each of saidgroups, a

common conductor extending from each terminal plate to one terminal of each lamp in the correspondingv group, a group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding tof.said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said brushes and the other terminals of thelamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record strip of insulating material for con- 'trolling the en a ement of all of said brushes with sai p ates, means for moving said record strip between said brushes and said plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromagnet in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer,

' switching 'mechanism operated by saidelectromagnet, a main swltch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechav nism for controlling the fiow "of current through said lamps, means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer, and a transformer having priof insulating material for con- A mary and secondary windings, said primary winding being connected in circuit with said -brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding to said rows of lamps. and tending tomake engagement with said plate, individual connections between said brushes and theother terminals of the lamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record strip of insulating material for controlling the engagement of all of said brushes with said plates, a main switch for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and devices operated by said record strip for controlling the operation of saidswitch. A

12. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly s aced rows and connected in groups, and swltching mechanism for controlling the lighting of said lamps, said I'switching mechanism comprising a plurality of ter-- minal plates, one for each of said groups, a common conductor extendin from each terminal plate to one termina of each lamp in the corresponding group, a group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding to said rows of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said brushes and the other terminals ofthe lamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record strip of insulating material for controlling the lerjigagement of all of said brushes -with said plates, a main switch for controlling the Howl of current through said lamps, devices; operated by said record strip for controlling the operation of said switch, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary wmdingbcing connected in circuit with said swltch and said secondary winding being connected in circuit with said lamps to supply current thereto.l

' 13.l In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spacedwro'ws and connected in groups, and .switching mechanism for controlling the lighting of said lamps, said switching vmechanism comprising a Nplurality of terminal plates, one for each of said groups, a

common conductor extending from each terv minal plate to one terminal of each lamp 130 in the corresponding group, a y group of brushes for each terminal plate arranged in rows corresponding to said rows-of lamps and tending to make engagement with said plate, individual connections between said brushes and the other terminals of the lamps of the corresponding group, a perforated record strip of insulating material for controlling the engagement of all of said brushes with said plates, means for moving said record strip between said brushes and said plates, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip,'electroma netic mechanism in circuit with said auxi iary circuit closer for stopping themotion of said record strip, and devices operated by said moving means for restablishing a driving relation for said strip.

14. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate, means for moving said strip, mechanism for effecting engagement between said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in Said strip, an' auxiliary circuit closer operated by said strip, and

, 3aelectromagnetic mechanism in` circuit with said auxiliary circuit closerfor controlling the motive means of said strip.

y 15. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush foreach lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip' between said brushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting engagement be- 40 tween said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated b said record strip, and a switch controlled y the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the flow of current through said lamps.

16. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a`bruslr for eachA lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting en agement between said brushes and said p ate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by saidrecord strip, an electromagnet in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated by said electromagnet, and a main switch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current throu h said lamps. l

1. n combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate', mechanism for effecting engagement b'etween said 70 brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer. y

18. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting engagement between said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromagnet in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated by said electromagnet, a main switch electromagnetically controlled byfsaid switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and means for opening said switch before the openin of said auxiliary circuit closer.

19. n combination, an electric sign comprising a. plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush foreach lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between saidbrushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting engagement between said brushes and said dplate in combinationsdetermined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit clo'ser for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and a transformer having primar and secondary windings, said primary win ing being connected in circuit with said switch and said secondary winding being connected in circuit with said lamps to sup- 115 ply current thereto.

20. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged .in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a ter- 120 minal plate a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting engagement between said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromagnet in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated yby said electromagnet Y' a main switch electromagnetically controlled 130 by said switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding being connected in circuit with said switch and said secondary winding being connected in circuit with said lamps to supply current thereto.

2l. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting engagement between said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliarv circuit closer operated by said record strip, a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer, and a transformer having primary andl secondary windings, said primary winding being connected in circuit with said switch and said secondary winding being connected in circuit with said lamps to supply` current thereto.

22. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate', mechanism for effecting engagement between Said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromagnet in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated by said :'electromagnet, a main switch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current through said lamps, means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding being connected in circuit with said switch and said secondary winding being connected in circuit with said lamps to supply current thereto.

23. In combination, an electric sign comprising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between said brushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting engagement between said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, a main switch for controlling the flow of current i through said lamps, devices operated by said record strip for controlling the operation of 24. In combination, an electric sign com` prising a plurality of lamps arranged in evenly spaced rows, a brush for each lamp connected with one terminal thereof, a terminal plate, a perforated record strip between v said brushes and said plate, mechanism for effecting engagement between said brushes and said plate in combinations determined by the perforations in said strip, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said strip,

means for moving said strip, electromagnetic mechanism in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the motion of said strip, and devices operated by said moving means for restablishing a `driving relation for said strip.

25. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a terminal plate, a perforated record strip upon said plate, brushes resting upon said record strip for controlling the closure of individual circuits, means for moving said record strip upon said plate, an

auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the How of current through said brushes, means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said secondary winding being connected with said terminal plate, said switch being connected with said primary winding to control the flow of current therethrough,

26. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a terminal plate, a perforated record strip upon said plate, brushes resting upon said record strip-for controlling the closure of individual circuits, means for moving said record strip upon said plate, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromagnet in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated by said electromagnet, a main switch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current through said brushes, means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said secondary winding being connected with said terminal plate, said switch being connected with said primary winding to control the flow of current therecontrolling the flow of current through said.

closure of individual circuits, means for moving said record strip upon said plate, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, and electromagnetic mechanism in circuit with said auxiliar circuit closer for controlling the motion of said record strip.

28. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a terminal plate, a-perforated record strip upon said plate, brushes resting upon said record strip for controlling the closure 'of individual circuits, means for moving said record strip upon said plate, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, and a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for brushes. v

29. In a switching mechanism, the combi- A nation of a terminal plate, a perforated record strip upon said plate, brushes resting upon said record strip for controlling the closure of individual circuits, means for moving said record strip upon said plate, an

auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromagnet in circuit with said auxiliary circuit closer, switching mechanism operated by said electromagnet, and a main switch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechanism for controlling the flow of current through said brushes.

30. In a switching mechanism, the combi# nation of a terminal plate, a perforated .said auxiliary circuit closer,

record strip upon said plate, brushes resting upon said record strip for controlling the closure of individual circuits, means for moving said record strip upon said plate, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, a switch controlled by the operation of said auxiliary circuit closer for controlling the flow of current through said brushes, and means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer.

3l. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a terminaly plate, a perforated record strip upon said plate, brushes resting upon said record strip for controlling the closure of individual circuits, means for moving said record strip upon said plate, an auxiliary circuit closer operated by said record strip, an electromagnet in circuit with switching mechanism operated by said electromagnet, a main switch electromagnetically controlled by said switching mechanism for control ling the flow of current through said brushes, and means for opening said switch before the opening of said auxiliary circuit closer.

Signed at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 6 day of May, 1915.

GUSTAF r. BAGGE.-

Witnesses: K

E. K. LUNDY, Jr., WM. CAROLD EUHELMAN. 

